Michael Martinez strode to the batter’s box with two outs in the ninth inning on a beautiful Saturday in Philadelphia. That act alone embodied every problem the Phillies encountered in Saturday’s 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

An inning earlier, Martinez, who probably shouldn’t be in the major leagues, was Phillies manager Charlie Manuel’s only option to pinch run for Ryan Howard, with most of his infield hurt. This is a beaten squad right now.

Thus, Martinez was the only player left on the Phillies’ bench that could play right field, as he replaced Delmon Young in the top of the ninth.

So there was Martinez, he of the career .511 OPS, in the box with two runners on base, the Phillies down to their last out, trailing by a run. Predictably, he grounded out to end the contest.

“That’s how things have been going for us,” Manuel said. “We talk about the same thing, every day and every night.”

And, theoretically, the Phillies shouldn’t have even been in the position. Two batters earlier, with Kyle Kendrick pinch running, second-base umpire Mike Estabrook called Kendrick out on a pickoff though Brewers shortstop Jean Segura clearly bobbled the throw.

Cesar Hernandez doubled on the next pitch. Had the call been correct, Kendrick would’ve scored to tie the game. In a statement, umpire crew chief Tom Hallion admitted the call was incorrect.